Petawawa Military Guide

About CFB Petawawa

Canadian Forces Base Petawawa is the largest army base in Canada and one of the busiest military installations in the country. Located along the Ottawa River in the Upper Ottawa Valley, about 170 kilometres northwest of Ottawa, CFB Petawawa has been an active military training ground since 1905 -- making it one of the oldest continuously operating bases in the Canadian Armed Forces.

The base is home to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group (2 CMBG), which includes several of the Canadian Army's most prominent units. Among them are The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) -- specifically the 1st and 3rd Battalions -- the 2nd Regiment, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (2 RCHA), and 2 Combat Engineer Regiment (2 CER). The base also hosts 427 Special Operations Aviation Squadron, 2 Service Battalion, and various support and training units.

At any given time, approximately 6,000 military personnel and 2,000 civilian employees work at CFB Petawawa. When you factor in families, the base population represents a significant portion of the region's residents. The surrounding Town of Petawawa, the City of Pembroke, and smaller communities like Deep River, Chalk River, and Laurentian Hills all have deep ties to the base, and the local economy is heavily shaped by the military presence.

The training area at CFB Petawawa spans over 340 square kilometres of Canadian Shield terrain, making it ideal for field exercises, live-fire ranges, and all-season training. Units regularly deploy from Petawawa on domestic operations and international missions, and the base has played a central role in virtually every major Canadian deployment since the Korean War.

For families arriving on a posting, this history translates into a well-established support infrastructure. The base and surrounding communities are built around military life, and residents -- both military and civilian -- understand the unique rhythms of a posting to Pet.

Getting Posted to Petawawa

When your posting message comes through, the first thing to know is that you are far from alone. Hundreds of military families move in and out of Petawawa every Annual Posting Season (APS), which typically runs from June through August. The community is experienced at welcoming newcomers, and the systems in place to support your move are well established.

Your posting message will come from the Canadian Armed Forces through your chain of command, typically between February and April for a summer move. Once you have your message in hand, you will begin working with the Integrated Relocation Program (IRP), which is administered by BGRS (Brookfield Global Relocation Services). BGRS handles the financial and logistical framework for your move, including your House Hunting Trip (HHT), the movement of household goods, temporary accommodation, and various allowances.

Key steps in the process include:

Contact BGRS early. As soon as you have your posting message, initiate your file with BGRS. Delays can create backlogs, especially during peak APS months. Their online portal will be your primary point of contact for submitting claims and tracking approvals.
Plan your House Hunting Trip. You are entitled to an HHT to visit the Petawawa area and explore housing options. Use this time wisely -- drive the neighbourhoods, visit schools, and check out the base. Most HHTs are five days, but confirm your entitlements with BGRS.
Book movers early. BGRS will arrange your household goods shipment, but the earlier you lock in dates, the better your chances of getting your preferred timeline. Summer is extremely busy.
Sort out temporary accommodation. If there is a gap between your arrival and when your permanent housing is ready, you may need to stay in temporary lodging. The base has the Petawawa Inn, and there are hotels along the Highway 17 corridor in Petawawa and Pembroke.
Update your documents. Ontario health cards, driver's licences, vehicle registrations, and school enrolments all need updating. Give yourself time for the administrative side of the move.

For a broader look at the logistics of relocating to the area, including tips on what to bring and how to prepare, see our Moving to Petawawa guide.

Housing Options

Housing is one of the biggest decisions you will face on a posting to Petawawa. You have two broad options: living on base in a Private Married Quarter (PMQ) or renting or buying off base in the surrounding communities.

Base Housing (PMQs)

CFB Petawawa has two main residential communities managed by the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA): Gruhn Village and Dundonald Village. Together, they offer several hundred housing units ranging from two-bedroom townhouses to four-bedroom detached homes. PMQs come with certain conveniences -- they are within walking distance of base amenities, there is no commute to speak of, and the community is entirely military, which can make it easier to connect with other families.

However, PMQ availability can be limited, and wait lists are common, especially for larger units. Rent is determined by CFHA and is adjusted periodically based on market comparisons. Maintenance requests go through CFHA, and while some repairs are handled promptly, others may take longer. Apply for a PMQ as soon as you receive your posting message if base housing interests you.

Off-Base Living

Many military families choose to live off base, either renting or purchasing a home. The most popular areas include:

Town of Petawawa -- The closest community to the base, with newer subdivisions, good schools, and a family-oriented atmosphere. Most amenities are within a short drive, and the commute to the base gate is typically under 10 minutes.
Pembroke -- The largest city in the area, about 20 minutes from the base. Pembroke offers more shopping, dining, and services, along with a wider selection of housing stock, including older heritage homes and newer builds. It is also where you will find the Pembroke Regional Hospital.
Deep River -- Located about 40 minutes northwest of the base, Deep River is a quieter community with a strong sense of identity. It was originally built to support Chalk River Laboratories (now Canadian Nuclear Laboratories) and has excellent schools and a beautiful waterfront. The longer commute is a trade-off for the small-town feel.
Laurentian Valley and area -- Rural properties and hobby farms are available in the townships surrounding Pembroke for families who prefer more space and a country setting.

Real estate prices in the Petawawa-Pembroke area remain more affordable than Ottawa, though the market has tightened in recent years. Working with a local real estate agent who understands military relocations and IRP timelines is highly recommended. For a deeper look at buying or renting in the area, visit our Real Estate guide.

Life on Base

CFB Petawawa is a self-contained community with a solid range of amenities and services that make daily life convenient for families living on or near the base.

Shopping and Essentials

The CANEX (Canadian Forces Exchange) is the on-base retail outlet, carrying everything from groceries and household goods to electronics and military kit. It also has a gas bar that typically offers competitive fuel prices. For larger shopping trips, Petawawa has a Walmart, Canadian Tire, and several grocery stores along Petawawa Boulevard, and Pembroke offers even more retail options along Highway 17.

Fitness and Recreation

The base has excellent fitness facilities managed by Personnel Support Programs (PSP). The Dundonald Fitness Centre and the Normandy Aquatic Centre are the two main facilities. The Normandy pool offers lane swimming, public swim times, and lessons for children. The gym includes weight rooms, cardio equipment, group fitness classes, and courts for basketball and volleyball. Sports leagues -- hockey, soccer, volleyball, broomball -- run throughout the year and are a great way to meet people.

Family Programs

The Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC), located on base near the Civic Centre, is the hub for family support and programming. The MFRC runs everything from parenting workshops and employment assistance for spouses to children's programs and deployment support groups. If you do nothing else in your first week at Petawawa, stop by the MFRC and register -- it is one of the most valuable resources available to you.

For ongoing events and activities in the area, check our Events page for up-to-date listings.

Schools for Military Kids

Families posted to Petawawa have access to both English and French school systems, as well as French immersion options. The area is served by the Renfrew County District School Board (English public), the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (English Catholic), the Conseil des ecoles publiques de l'Est de l'Ontario (French public), and the Conseil des ecoles catholiques du Centre-Est (French Catholic).

Schools Serving Military Families

The schools most commonly attended by military children include:

Petawawa Westwind Public School -- An English public elementary school on base that serves many PMQ families.
General Panet High School -- Located on base, this English public secondary school is the default high school for many military kids in the area.
Herman Street Public School -- An elementary school in Petawawa popular with off-base military families.
Champlain Discovery Public School -- A K-8 school in Pembroke that offers French immersion programming.
Bishop Smith Catholic High School -- A Catholic secondary school in Pembroke serving families across the region.
Ecole elementaire catholique Sainte-Marie -- A French Catholic school in the area for francophone families.

Transfers and Transitions

Transferring schools mid-year is a reality for many military children. The local school boards are very familiar with the process and generally handle it smoothly. Request your child's Ontario Student Record (OSR) from their previous school as early as possible, and contact the receiving school before you arrive to discuss class placement, any academic accommodations, and extracurricular opportunities.

French immersion is available at several schools in the region. If your child is already enrolled in an immersion program, ask about continuity -- placement is usually possible, but availability can vary by grade level.

For a full breakdown of all schools in the area, see our Schools guide.

Services for Military Families

One of the advantages of being posted to a large, established base like Petawawa is the depth of services available to military families. Between on-base resources and community providers, most of what you need is within easy reach.

Military-Specific Support

The Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) is the cornerstone of family support at CFB Petawawa. Located on base, the MFRC offers programs in four main areas: deployment and separation support, personal development and community integration, children and youth programming, and employment and education assistance for spouses. Their Second Language Training program is particularly valuable for families new to Ontario's bilingual environment.

SISIP Financial (now known as Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services Financial) provides financial planning, insurance products, and the Canadian Forces Personnel Assistance Fund. If you are dealing with a financial challenge related to your posting, SISIP can help with short-term loans and advisory services.

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) maintains services for transitioning members and veterans. If you or your partner are approaching release or dealing with a service-related injury or illness, VAC has case managers and programs to support the transition to civilian life.

Healthcare and Dental

Serving members receive medical care through the base's Canadian Forces Health Services Centre. Family members, however, are covered under provincial health insurance (OHIP) and will need to find a family physician in the community. The Petawawa area, like much of rural Ontario, faces a shortage of family doctors, so getting on a wait list early is important. Walk-in clinics in Petawawa and Pembroke can bridge the gap. The Pembroke Regional Hospital is the nearest full-service hospital with an emergency department.

Dental care for family members is covered through the Public Service Health Care Plan and supplemented by Blue Cross. There are several dental offices in the area that are experienced with military families and the Blue Cross claims process.

Legal matters related to your posting -- including wills, powers of attorney, and real estate transactions -- are worth addressing early. Having a local lawyer who understands military-specific circumstances, such as deployment-related urgency or IRP-related property transactions, can streamline the process considerably.

For a comprehensive list of professional services available in the area, visit our Local Services guide.

Dining and Social

Petawawa may not be a big city, but you will find a respectable range of dining options once you know where to look. Between on-base facilities and the restaurants in Petawawa and Pembroke, there is enough variety to keep things interesting.

On Base

Each unit on base has its own mess -- the Officers' Mess, the Warrant Officers' and Sergeants' Mess, and the Junior Ranks Mess. These facilities host social events, mess dinners, TGIF gatherings, and holiday celebrations throughout the year. They are important social hubs, especially for newcomers looking to integrate into their unit community. Check with your unit's mess committee for the schedule of upcoming events.

Off Base

The Town of Petawawa and Pembroke have a growing local food scene. You will find everything from pub fare and pizza to more distinctive options. For Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, the area has some genuine standouts that have become favourites with military families and locals alike.

The craft beer movement has also arrived in the Ottawa Valley. Local breweries offer a welcome social outlet and are popular gathering spots for families and groups of friends on weekends. Taprooms with rotating selections give you a reason to keep exploring, and many host events, live music, and food trucks.

Pembroke's downtown core has several restaurants and cafes worth exploring, including Italian spots, sushi restaurants, and classic Canadian diners. For groceries and specialty ingredients, the Pembroke Farmers' Market runs seasonally and is a good source for local produce, baked goods, and meat.

Recreation and Outdoors

If you enjoy the outdoors, you have hit the posting jackpot. The Petawawa area sits at the doorstep of some of Ontario's best wilderness, and outdoor recreation is a way of life here for much of the year.

On and Near Base

The base itself has an extensive network of trails used for running, cycling, and cross-country skiing. The terrain is classic Canadian Shield -- granite, pine, and lakes -- and the training area offers kilometres of trails that are accessible to families outside of active training periods (check base standing orders for access rules).

The Ottawa River is right at your doorstep. In summer, it offers world-class whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Several outfitters operate on the river between Pembroke and Beachburg, running guided rafting trips that range from family-friendly floats to serious whitewater. Fishing is excellent, with walleye, bass, and pike all abundant in the river and surrounding lakes.

Algonquin Provincial Park

One of the great perks of a Petawawa posting is proximity to Algonquin Provincial Park. The park's east gate is roughly 90 minutes from the base, giving you easy access to over 7,600 square kilometres of Ontario's most iconic wilderness. Canoe tripping in Algonquin is a quintessential Canadian experience, and there are routes suitable for beginners and experts alike. The park also offers front-country camping, day hikes along the Highway 60 corridor, and some of the best fall colour in the province.

Winter Activities

Winters in Petawawa are cold and snowy -- and that is a feature, not a bug. Snowmobiling is huge in the Ottawa Valley, with an extensive network of groomed OFSC trails that connect to routes across Ontario and into Quebec. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing are all popular. The base's Normandy pool and fitness facilities keep things active indoors during the coldest months.

For more ideas on what to do outdoors in the area, see our Outdoor Recreation guide, and keep an eye on our Weather page for current conditions and forecasts.

The Military Community

One of the defining features of life in Petawawa is the strength of the military community. Because such a large percentage of the local population is connected to the base, there is a shared understanding of military life that you will not find in many other places. Deployments, exercises, postings in and out -- these are part of the rhythm here, and the community rallies around them.

Spouse Employment

Finding employment is one of the biggest challenges for military spouses, and the MFRC's employment services are a critical resource. They offer resume workshops, job boards, networking events, and connections to local employers who understand the realities of military family life. The Town of Petawawa, the school boards, and CFHA are among the larger employers in the area. Some spouses find remote work or start home-based businesses, and the MFRC supports entrepreneurship through its programming as well.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering is woven into the fabric of the Petawawa military community. The MFRC, unit family support groups, and local organizations all rely on volunteers. Getting involved is one of the fastest ways to build a social network and feel at home. Common volunteer roles include helping with deployment care packages, organizing unit family days, coaching youth sports, and supporting MFRC events.

Regimental Associations and Social Groups

Each unit at Petawawa has its own family support network and regimental association. These groups organize social events, provide information during deployments, and create connections between families within the unit. Make contact with your partner's or your own unit family group as soon as you arrive -- they will have the inside track on everything from the best playgrounds to the most reliable babysitters.

Beyond the military-specific groups, the broader community offers plenty of opportunities to connect. Sports leagues, church groups, the Petawawa Public Library, and seasonal events like the Petawawa Civic Centre activities all provide avenues for building friendships outside the base gates.

Tips for New Postings

After talking to dozens of families who have been through the Petawawa posting experience, here are the most common pieces of advice for newcomers:

Register with the MFRC on day one. Seriously -- do it before you finish unpacking. The MFRC is your gateway to programs, information, and connections. Their welcome package for new arrivals is genuinely useful.
Get on a family doctor wait list immediately. The shortage is real. Register with the Health Care Connect service through the province of Ontario, and use walk-in clinics in the meantime. Do not wait until someone is sick to start looking.
Explore beyond the base. Petawawa and Pembroke have more to offer than first impressions suggest. Give the local restaurants, trails, and events a chance -- this area has genuine character once you start looking for it.
Prepare for winter. If you are coming from a milder posting, invest in proper winter gear for the whole family. Snow tires are legally required in Ontario and practically essential here. The cold is manageable with the right clothing and attitude, and winter activities like snowmobiling, skating, and cross-country skiing make the season enjoyable.
Budget for the commute if living off base. If you choose to live in Pembroke or Deep River, factor in the daily drive time and fuel costs. The commute is manageable, but it adds up over the course of a posting.
Connect with other families early. Unit family groups, the MFRC, and even social media groups for Petawawa military families are all worth joining before you arrive. Having contacts on the ground makes the transition dramatically smoother.
Take advantage of your HHT. Your House Hunting Trip is not just about finding a house. Use the time to visit schools, drive the neighbourhoods, check out the base amenities, and get a feel for where you want your family to be.
Keep your IRP paperwork organized. The Integrated Relocation Program is generous but bureaucratic. Save every receipt, document every expense, and stay on top of your BGRS file. Missing a deadline or losing a receipt can cost you hundreds of dollars in unclaimed entitlements.
Give it time. Every posting has an adjustment period. Petawawa may feel small or remote at first, especially if you are coming from a larger centre. But families who give the community a real chance almost always find that it grows on them. The outdoor access alone is worth the posting.

For more detailed guidance on the logistics of your move, including checklists and timelines, visit our Moving to Petawawa guide.